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Looking for a zesty, refreshing dessert that’s perfect for summer gatherings? Look no further than this Lemon Lush recipe. With layers of buttery Golden Oreo crust, creamy lemon-infused cream cheese, a tangy homemade lemon pudding layer, and fluffy whipped cream, this lemon lasagna is a true delight for your taste buds. It’s easy to make, requires no baking, and will be a hit at any potluck or family dinner.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with this Lemon Lush Recipe
It’s the perfect blend of creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors that make each bite heavenly. The layers create a beautiful presentation that’s sure to impress your guests. Plus, it’s a no-bake dessert, which means you won’t have to heat up your kitchen on a hot day. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a newbie, this lemon delight is foolproof and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. YUM!
Ingredients Needed for Lemon Lush (Lemon Lasagna)
It goes without saying, but this is one of my favorite desserts! Give me all the lemon desserts! Yes, the list is rather long, but most ingredients you likely have in your pantry. What you don’t have on hand can easily be found at your local grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Golden Oreo cookies: These form the delicious, buttery crust.
- Butter, melted: Helps bind the cookie crust together.
- Cream cheese, softened: For the rich, tangy cream cheese mixture. (Room temperature cream cheese is the easiest to work with.)
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the cream cheese layer.
- Fresh lemon juice: Provides that fresh, tangy lemon flavor.
- Zest of 1 lemon: Enhances the lemony goodness.
- Lemon extract: Intensifies the lemon flavor.
- Heavy cream: Used in both the cream cheese layer and the whipped topping.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream topping.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth of flavor.
- Lemon instant pudding mix: Creates the luscious lemon pudding layer.
- Milk, cold: Used to prepare the instant pudding. (whole milk is best, but 1% or 2% will work too)
- Strawberries, fresh (optional): For a fresh, colorful garnish.
Variations
- Crust: Substitute Golden Oreos with graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or even a pecan crust for a different base.
- Pudding: Swap lemon pudding with your flavor of choice.
- Topping: Use Cool Whip instead of homemade whipped cream for convenience.
- Fruit: Top with blueberries or raspberries instead of strawberries for a different fruit garnish.
How to Make Lemon Lush
For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here are my step by step instructions for making this no-bake Lemon Lush dessert:
1. Prepare the Crust (Layer 1)
Crush the golden oreo cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or a rolling pin. Place into a bowl and stir in melted butter until well combined. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 glass baking dish. Refrigerate.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Layer (Layer 2)
In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, whip cream cheese, granulated sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon of the lemon extract, and 1/2 cup of the heavy cream until thick and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Spread evenly over the bottom layer of cookies. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
3. Prepare the Pudding Layer (Layer 3)
Mix together cold milk and instant lemon pudding mix for 2 minutes until completely combined. Pour over second layer before it sets completely and spread evenly. Cover and return to refrigerator.
4. Whip the Heavy Whipping Cream (Layer 4)
Whip remaining 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream with remaining teaspoon of lemon extract, vanilla extract and powdered sugar until stiff peaks have formed.
Spread over the top and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Storing + Make Ahead Directions for Lemon Lush
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 4 days.
To Freeze: Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
To Make Ahead: Make this up to a day before you want to serve. Just be sure to store it in the fridge and cover it.
More Lemon Dessert Recipes to Try!
- Perfect Lemon Bar Recipe
- Creme Brulee Lemon Pie Recipe
- Lemon Meringue Pie Cheesecake Recipe
- Lemon Cream Pie Recipe
- Lemon Pistachio Swiss Roll Cake Recipe
This Lemon Lush recipe is the perfect dessert for anyone with a sweet tooth who loves the refreshing taste of lemon (Hi, it’s me!). It’s easy to make, looks impressive, and is guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. Enjoy your slice of sunny citrus bliss! The printable recipe is below for this super simple and tasty treat! Have a wonderful week! 🙂
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Lemon Lush Recipe
Ingredients
- 36 Golden Oreo cookies
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons lemon extract divided
- 2 cups heavy cream divided
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6.8 oz lemon instant pudding mix two – 3.4 oz packages
- 3 cups milk cold
- strawberries fresh, for garnish, optional
Instructions
layer 1-
- Crush the golden oreo cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or a rolling pin.
- Place into a bowl and stir in melted butter until well combined.
- Press into the bottom of a 9×13 glass baking dish. Refrigerate.
layer 2-
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, whip cream cheese, granulated sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon of the lemon extract and 1/2 cup of the heavy cream until thick and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Spread evenly over the bottom layer of cookies. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
layer 3-
- Mix together cold milk and instant lemon pudding mix for 2 minutes until completely combined.
- Pour over second layer before it sets completely and spread evenly. Cover and return to refrigerator.
layer 4-
- Whip remaining 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream with remaining teaspoon of lemon extract, vanilla extract and powdered sugar until stiff peaks have formed.
- Spread over the top and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
My husband loves lemon stuff so I need to try this. Would it work OK with almond milk? That’s what I happen to have in the fridge at the moment.
Hey listen, we don’t need a list of 10 things you need to whine about while in hawaii. Just give us the recipe. Also enjoy having your children there I can’t have any.
Everyone who tasted it asked for the recipe! So good – especially when the temps are over 100 degrees.
[…] my kitchen. Baking with lemon is one of my favorite things to do, as evidenced with this recipe or this recipe or this recipe. I like lemon more than chocolate. Pretty sure I’m in the minority on that […]
[…] Lemon Dessert Lasagna […]
[…] prepared for how delicious it was going to be but one bite in, I was smitten. Similar to my Lemon Dessert Lasagna but changed up to be festive for Fall! It basically tastes like a super creamy pumpkin pie but in a […]
Hi, can I substitute the lemon jello pudding with raspberry or strawberry?
I don’t see why not 🙂 That would be yummy!
Lemon!!! Yum yum yum ^_^
[…] Lemon Dessert Lasagna […]
Could this be made ahead and frozen?
No!! Cream cheese doesn’t freeze. You can make it ahead and keep it in the fridge for up to a week.
This looks really good! Can’t wait to make it!
Do you use the whole cookie with the cream or scrape the cream off and just use the plain cookies?
I use the whole cookie.
Looking forward to making and eating this lemon desert!! Looks so yummy!!
[…] LEMON DESSERT LASAGNA […]
It’s so good. Like eating lemon clouds. Yum.
I’m on the pudding now; that cream cheese layer is to die for! Delicious!!
Love your honesty about vacationing with children!
I want some
Where do you buy lemon pudding mix or is it lemon cake mix ?
It’s just Jell-o instant lemon pudding mix from the grocery store.
Lauren, I can only find 1 oz boxes of instant lemon pudding & pie filling “sugar free” do I get six boxes?
No!! Sugar free pudding weighs a whole lot less than normal instant pudding made with sugar. My recipe calls for two boxes of instant lemon pudding, so you would substitute 2 sugar free boxes of lemon pudding even though the weights are different.
I was thimnking of baking the crust a little…. ideas?
I want to make this for 90 people?
Looks easy
How long does the whipped topping hold up? How far in advance would you make this for a party?
What is lemon extract!
Is the lemon layer the texture of a custard, or meringue ?
More like custard.
Thank you.
It looks a bit like gelatin, so I wasn’t sure.
Could you use lemon curd instead of pudding? Just looking for more lemony flavor.
I suppose you could, but I don’t know how it would hold up. Give it a try and let me know!
[…] Lemon Dessert Lasagna | Lauren’s Latest […]
I LOVE anything lemon – especially in the summer. Can’t wait to give this a try! Jealous of your Hawaii trip!
Would love to see this with a marshmallow Meringe on top instead of the whip cream. Love the bottom crust and lemon idea!
Ooh, now that’s a great idea!! I LOVE marshmallow meringue. And regular meringue. Haha!
I am so frustrated with Pintrest. If I ask it to save your recipe, it wants me to log in or sign up. ( I am a long time Pintrest user). After I do it takes me to their main page and I can never find your recipe again, even if I do a search….I know it’s not you or your site as it happens on others, I just wanted you to be aware of it. I have an iPad and this was in my email.
I lived in Hawaii, as my husband was stationed there. Next time I’ll babysit while you go… Love kids and babies.
Is there any particular waiting time between layering ingredients or is just the time it takes to make each layer okay?
Nope! You just need to be a bit careful in spreading the cream cheese layer onto the crust. It can get a little crumby. But other than that, its all good 🙂 It’ll cut really nicely once it’s all good and cold after 4+ hours!
I heard once that if you get a big tomato, and slice it in half and rub the tomato on the burn, the acid in the tomato is able to pull out the burn and soothe it a bit. But I’m sure Aloe works a lot better!! Love watching your vacation on SnapChat!
You lost me at instant pudding. ????
Very oh so good
Oh my WORD! This looks amazing! Perfect for upcoming summer parties!!
My husband and I discovered something a few years ago. Parents alone = vacation, Parents + kids = family trip. We’ve explained the difference to many friends and they agree wholeheartedly!
Have fun anyway. How was the flight?
Oh.My.Gosh. I wish I was sitting by the ocean eating this. Yum!